The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-01-28
T H 4
PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS IN THE
UNITED STATES.

There are several presidential aspir-
ants in the Republican party, but I'M
questionably James e. Blaine stands
highest in the affections Of the Ameri-
can people. He has many of the quail
ties of a popular leader, and possesses a
knowledge and grasp of public affairs
which entitle him to rank among the
foremost statesmen of the age. Long
ago he would have made his mark in
the higher plane of politics if the Ameri
can system had furnished field for the
development of craftsmanship, by admit
ting of a continuous policy under a sin
gle leadership. This opportunity is de
MED American public men owing to the
guidance of public policy being by party
and not by individual opponents of it as
in England, Germany and other consti-
tutional countries. Nevertheless the
strong individuality of Mr. Blaine, his
courage and audacity at times, stamp
him as a leader of men, and if he enters
the lists at the next National Convention
OF the Republican party he will be found
an exceedingly strong candidate for the
nomination. He would of course be OPP
posed by the 'Mugwumps" and other
boilers, but this would hardly be so
powerful a factor in the next election as
it was in the last. The people OF the
United States generally do not approve
Of boilers from party lines, and the nov
city has long since been rubbed off the
'Mugwump" rebellion.
Senator Edmunds is another candidate
for the Republican nomination. He is
quite as able man as Blaine, a sound
lawyer, and a politician of a wide range
OF experience, but he is wanting in all
personal qualities for popular leader
ship. His place is the United States
Senate, not the Presidential chair. lie
is cold, calculating and unsympathetic,
entirely honorable in his life and in
stincts, but has few personal admirers
If elected he would make good Presi-
dent; bat we think he will not receive
the nomination unless he takes stand
upon the tariff and civil service reform
during the present session which would
attach some OF the Southern States to
his banner. This is possible of accom-
plishment, but Edmunds does not pos
sess the originality and dash necessary
to such movement.
Senator John Sherman is another as
pirant for the Republican nomination.
He has had the Presidential bee in his
bonnet" since his assumption OF office as
Secretary OF the Treasury under Hayes
Indeed it was his intrigues for the presi-
Dental succession, with the connivance
OF Hayes, that led up to the estrange-
ment of Conkling and the split in the
Republican party which rendered posi-
BILE the election of Cleveland. That
breach has not been healed, and al
though the banks and great corporations
would be friendly to Sherman, he IS so
unpopular that a nomination is hardly
probable. He Is a man who loves no.
body but John Sherman, and is without
human sympathy or personal magnet
ism of any kind. Ii Senator Sherman
receives the Republican nomination
nothing can elect him but the dollar
power of the corporations and monopo-
lies with which he has always identified
himself.
Senator Don Cameron of Pennsylvania
is also spoken of. Although not con-
spicuous figure in national politics, he is
the strongest political leader in Penn
sylyania. Like his father, Simon Cam
eron, he has been in the Cabinet. He
is not in robust health, however, and
would hardly be able to undergo the
fatigues and excitement OF presiden-
tial campaign.
Judge Gresham, of the United States
Circuit Court, Chicago, is another prob
able candidate As Postmaster General
and for a short time Secretary OF the
Treasury in Arthur's administration,
Judge Gresham made fine record. He
is a strong man, intellectually and
morally, and would make a successful
President. His chances are good, unless
''the machine" controls the Convention.
There are other names that might be
but these are among the
more prominent, and will suffice for the
present.
In the Democratic camp there are